Combination force responsive structure and switch mounting receptacle



E. DILLON ION F0 COMBI RESPONSIVE STRUCTURE A SWITCH MOUNTING RECEPTACLE Filed Oct. 2, 1959 vii l INVENTOR. EDWIN I. DILLON W pwzf ATTORNEY? 3,033,966 COMBINA'HON FGRCE RESPONSIVE STRUCTURE AND SWITCH MOUNTING RECEE'TACLE Edwin I. Dillon, Van Nuys, Calif., assignor to W. C. Dillon 8: Qompany, Inc., a corporation of California Filed Oct. 22, 1959, Ser. No. 848,059

7 Claims. (Cl. 208-172) This invention broadly relates to a combination force responsive structure and switch mounting receptacle and more particularly concerns an integral structure which may be employed not only for the purpose of convenient ly and ruggedly mounting a switch unit thereon but also as a means of actuating the switch as suclrl Furthermore, the combination force responsive" structure and switch mounting receptacle of the present invention is designed as a means of converting relatively large actuating forces or masses into a relatively small, controlled movement of a flexing member for the purpose of actuating a sensitive switch, relay or equivalent electrical or mechanical device.

At the present time, many different types of snap-action switches (for example, micro-switches or the like), are available on the market. switches embody levers, leaf springs, spiral springs or similar biasing elements with a force resistance approximating in degree afew ounces or pounds. These switches are designed to function directly as a consequence of the load imposed thereon and consequently are limited in application to environmental conditions in which'relatively low quantity forces are applied.

Devices available on the market for actuating a switch in response to a heavy load are relatively cumbersome and usually embody several inter-connected elements occupying a relatively large amount of space and presenting weight problems and mounting problems, particularly significant in aircraft and missile applications.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a combined force responsive structure and switch mounting receptacle, which will enable a relatively sensitive switch to be mounted and actuated in response to large as well as small forces or masses;

Another object of the present invention is to'provide' a combined force responsive structure and switch mounting receptacle which may be readily modified to accommodate either compressive or tensional loads. a 7

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combined force responsive structure and switch receptacle which may be readily precisely adjusted to effect actuation of a switch in response to any given external force varying from a few ounces to many thousands of pounds.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a combined force responsive structure and switch mounting receptacle which may be manufactured economically to meet stringent space requirements, while still having a high capacity rating; and further, which may be produced with a relatively low overall weight.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a combined force responsive structure and switch mounting receptacle which not only provides a convenient and simple means of mounting a switch thereon, but which further provides an overall shielding structure for the switch together with an integral member for actuating the switch through a wide range of loads.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a combined force responsive structure and switch In most instances, these mounting receptacle which, by varying the dimensions of the various portions thereof, may be designed for switch operation in response to either a given load or agiven travel of a member. 7

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are generally attained by providing a combinaauras Patented May a, 1962 the switch in a position for operating engagement by thearm as a consequence of the given movement of the arm. Mounting means are further provided for coupling the switch to the mounting wall.

A better understanding of the present invention will.

be had by reference to the drawings, showing merely an illustrative embodiment, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of the combination force responsive structure and switch mounting receptacle according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is. a side elevational view of the combined force responsive structure and switching mounting receptacle of FIGURE 1, illustrating a switching unit mounted thereon;

FIGURE 3 is 'a modification of the combined force responsive structure and switch mounting receptacle as shown in FIGURES l and 2; and, V

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the force transmitting contact button used in conjunction with the combined force responsive structure and switch mounting receptacle as shownin FIGURES l and 2.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG- URE 1 a combined force responsive structure and switch mounting receptacle generally designated by the numeral 10. The structure or receptacle 10, as it may hereafter be alternately referred to, includes a mounting base 11 integrally formed therewith. The mounting base 11 embodies opposing end portions 12 and 13 designed for convenient mounting of the structure 10 on the particular apparatus in conjunction with which it is to be employed;

The end portion 12 has a threaded hole 14 extending therethrough for receiving a screw or the like; similarly, the end portion 13 includes a threaded screw hole 15.

The structure 1t further includes a body portion 16, which functions as a stable supporting portion orfulcrum. Integrally formed with and extending from the body portion 16 is a flexure arm 17, "which functions as a lever relative to the body 16. The arm 17 defines in the upper sidewalls thereof an elongated slot 18 designed to receive a contact button 19, the latter functioning as a force transmitting member. Theslot 1S and contact button 19 co-function together to enable slidable positioning of the contact button to various positions along the arm 17 relative to the body 16. Towards this end, different constructions may be employed, although the preferred construction is shown in FIGURE 4.

Thus, in FIGURE 4, as indicated, the contact button 19 may be provided with a nut 20. To accommodate the nut 28, the slot 18 may be of an inverted T-shape. Thus, by loosening the screw or contact button 19, the contact button 19 may be slid along the slot 18 with nut 20 to the particular position or point desired and thereafter tightened.

The body 16 has integrally formed therewith a mounting wall 21 which extends outwardly from the body 16 in the same direction as the arm 17. Mounting wall 21 is spaced rearwardly from the front face of the body 16 so as to define with the body 16 and the mounting base 11' a recessed area or volume for mounting of a switching assembly. V

The mountingwall 21 defines therein two spaced slots 22 and 23 for receiving the mounting screws of the switch assembly, as will be hereafter explained. The mounting wall 21 further embodies an upper sidewall 24 which t er- 4 V a flexure ar-m731 defining therein a. plurality of threaded openings 32, 33, and 34.

" At its outer end, the fiexure arm 31 is provided with an movement of the flexure arm .17. At its other end, the

upper sidewall 24 is radiused as at into the body 16.

As clearly shown in the view of FIGURE 2, a microswitch assembly 27 may be positioned between the arm 17 and the mounting base 11 and retained by screws (not shown) coupling the switch 27 to the mounting wall 21 as through slots 22 and 23. With such construction, the

switch 27 may be positioned at-various points below the arm '17 at corresponding different distances from the body or fulcrum 16. The switch 27 preferably includes a switch button 29 positioned a given distance below the no-load position of the arm 17.

' The operation of the combined force responsive structure and switch mounting receptacle of the present in vention i'sj'readily apparent from the above description.

Referring try-FIGURE 2,1 the actuating fo'rcewould be I applied to the contact button 19 toin turn efiect a given bending movement to the arm 17.. The quantitative measurement of the moment imposed :wouldbe, dependent upon the force applied, the position of the button 19 from the body 16, and the dimensions and material characteristics of the arm 17. In consequence of the actuating force, imposed on the button 19 and the resultant moment produced inthe arm 17, the arm 17 would bend or move 7 through an arcuate distance relative to the body 16. As

soon as the arm 17 engages or contacts the switch button 29,-the microswitch 27 would be actuated to in turn open or close an electric circuit connected through the terminals 28.

By positioning the switch 27 atrdiiferent points with respect to the slots 22 and 23, the particular location of theswitch button 29 could be varied relative to the length. of the arm 17. Thus, if the switch button 29 were located closer to the body 16, a greater movement of the arm 17 would be required in order to actuate the switch 29. The projection portion 26 or stop functions as an overload means to limit movement of the arm 17 to a particular degree such that the micro-switch '27 cannot be damaged; V v

It will further be appreciated that by varying the position of the contact button 19 along the length of the slot 18 difierent forces will be required to actuate the 7 switch button 29.

-The combined 'force responsive structure and switch mounting receptacle of the present invention not only can be employed in. applications for controlling the amount of force or mass exerted by a member but also for controlling the stroke or movement, for example, of a machineelement. Thus, in applications involvingcontrol oi the stroke or distance which a member moves, the arm' 17 may be designed to have a thincross section such that'a small amount of force would be required to bend it. Thereafter, theswitching unit .27 would be positioned at a particular point such that a given arcuate movement of the arm 17 at that point would effect actuation of the switch button 29 in correspondence with the desired stroke of the machine element or equivalent member." In consequence, it will be appreciated that the present invention may be employed in-co'njunction with diverse force, mass, and stroke controlling applications. Such applications include scale devices; sorting apparatus, dynamometer units, quality control components and the like. '7 i Although FIGURES 1 and 2 illu'strate a preferred con-i struction of the unit in its application to compressive loads, the unit or combined force responsive"structure and switch mounting receptacle of the present invention may readily be modified for use in conjunction with tensileloads. I

.Thus, referring to 3, is shown oversized bore designed to receive a'bolt 36. The bolt 36 is threaded into a projection portion-37 (corresponding to the projection portion 25 of. FIGURES l and 2). The projection portion '37 .forms apart of a mounting wall 38 similar to the mounting Wall 21 of FIGURES l and 2.

Mounted in one of the threaded openings 32-34, for example 33, is shown an eye bolt 39 or the like which may be used for coupling to a tensile load. With such a construction, instead of the arm 31 bending inwardly, it would bend outwardly in response to a tensile load whereby the head of the bolt '36 would function as a stop with the arm.31 moving relative thereto. In such a configuration, the particular switching unit employed would be designed to have its contact button positioned in engagement withthe arm 31, which engagement would be released after the arm 31 had bent outwardly a given distance. It will be appreciatedfrom the foregoing that many variations and modifications may be made to the combined force responsive and switch mounting receptacle of the present invention without departing from the tion or stop portion 25. Furthermore, in the event of normal failure of the switch unit27, it may be readily maintained and conveniently replaced. In addition, it

a will be evident that the unit may be made in very small a few ounces portion 30 similar to the body portion 16 of. FIGURES 7 1 and 2. The body portion 30 has extending therefrom sizes, to accommodate awide range of. loads depending upon the .designjand material specifications of the flexure arm 17; Furthermore, different types of adjustments may be made to accommodate loads ranging from mentioned.

What is claimed l. The combination comprising: a force responsive.

structure and switch mounting receptacle including a body functioning as a fulcrum; a switch; a ilexure arm extending from and integrally formed with a first end portion ofsaid body, said arm functioning as a lever and beingdesigned for a given bending movement in response to a given actuating force at a given point thereon, said arm being at least as wide as said-switch to eifectively shield same; a mounting wall integrally formed with and extending from a sidewall of said body, said mounting wall being adapted to retain said switch in a position for operating engagement bysaidarm as a consequence of said given movement a flat base member integrally formed with and extending from a second end portion of said body, said base member functioning to receivingly support said switch and, mounting means for coupling said switch to said mounting wall.

2. A combination force" responsive structure and switch mounting receptacle, according to. claim 1, and contact means connected to said arm for transmitting said actuating force, said contact means being movable to various coupled positions relative to said flexurearm V for varying said given point and establishing difierent.

bending movements for said arm. n

3. A combination force' responsive structure and switchmounting receptacle, according to claim 1, in which said mounting means enables' adjustable positioning of said switch with respect to said arm.

4. A combination force responsive structure and'switch mounting receptacle, according to claim 1, and overload means coupled to said mountingwall limiting movement of said fiexure arm with respect to said wall. 5. A combination force responsive structure and switch mounting receptacle, according to claim 4, in which said overload means'comprises an integral projection portion of said mountingwall.

to severalthousand pounds as heretofore V portion of said body, said arm functioning as a lever and being designed for a given bending movement in response to a given actuating force at a given point thereon, said flexure arm defining a slot therein extending in a direction to and from said body; a contact button adapted for slidable movement in said slot, said contact button being designed to receive said actuating force; a mounting wall integrally formed with and extending from a sidewall of said body, said mounting wall being adapted to retain said switch in a position for operating engagement by said arm as a consequence of said given movement; a fiat base member integrally formed with and extending from a second end portion of said body, said base member functioning to receivingly support said switch and, mounting means for coupling said switch to said mounting I wall.

7. A combination force responsive. structure and switch mounting receptacle, according to claim 6, and at least one slot in said mounting wall for adjustable positioning of said switch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,454,341 Repka Nov. 23, 1948 2,474,945 Johnson July 5, 1949 2,691,081 Weber Oct. 5, 1954 2,748,219 Buchanan May 29, 1956 2,789,176 Mercier Apr. 16, 1957 2,929,901 Bloch Mar. 22, 1960 

